| Wood burning fireplace inserts are basically | | | | allowed creosote to build up inside the |
| a wood stove designed to fit into a | | | | fireplace, presenting a potential fire |
| conventional open fireplace. Like wood | | | | hazard. To prevent this, the National Fire |
| stoves, new inserts must be EPA certified, | | | | Protection Association (NFPA) now requires |
| making them clean burning and highly | | | | that inserts be installed with a positive |
| efficient. These wood burning fireplace | | | | connection to the chimney. Wood burning |
| inserts are usually made from plate steel or | | | | fireplace inserts must have a connector |
| cast iron and have glass doors so you can see | | | | between the appliance outlet and the first |
| the flames. The wood burning fireplace | | | | section of the flue liner. This sends the |
| inserts either fit in the opening of the | | | | smoke and gases up and out of the chimney |
| fireplace or protrude onto the hearth. The | | | | more directly, minimizing combustible |
| latter position is more efficient because the | | | | deposits that condense in the fireplace. |
| sides, top, and bottom provide additional | | | | Inserts are heavy, often weighing over 400 |
| radiant heat. The inserts often have | | | | pounds. Since inserts need to be removed |
| blowers, which can significantly improve | | | | when the chimney is being cleaned and |
| efficiency. Blowers are usually mounted in | | | | maintained, they can be awkward and heavy to |
| the front or along the sides of the insert. | | | | handle. It is a job best left to a |
| Some blowers are controlled manually, while | | | | professional chimney sweep. In some cases, |
| others are regulated by a thermostat. | | | | however, you do not have to remove the insert |
| Fireplace blowers are designed to distribute | | | | to clean the chimney. The wood burning |
| the air from your fireplace throughout your | | | | fireplace inserts can stay in place during |
| entire home.In the past, most installers | | | | cleaning if you install a full relining |
| placed the wood burning fireplace inserts in | | | | collar, a stainless steel pipe that connects |
| the fireplace without any chimney | | | | to the insert and goes to the top of the |
| connections. This method, in some cases, | | | | chimney. |